Comelec disqualifies APEC, 1-CARE for 2013 polls

MANILA, Philippines–The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday disqualified two more party-list groups to run in the 2013 polls.

Comelec chair Sixto Brillantes Jr. said in a press conference that APEC and 1-CARE party-list groups were disqualified based on a unanimous vote.

The Comelec last week also disqualified Ako-Bicol and 12 other party-list groups.

The Comelec has been undergoing a re-evaluation of old and new party-list groups and a screening of their nominees under the law as part of their efforts to cleanse the party-list system, which has been criticized as being dominated by bogus organizations or by groups whose nominees are either multimillionaires, former government officials or members of powerful political clans.

Under Republic Act No. 7941 or the Party-list System Act, only 12 marginalized and underrepresented sectors of society can seek congressional representation.

These are the labor, peasant, fisherfolk, urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, elderly, handicapped, women, youth, veterans, overseas workers and professionals sectors.